Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $16.5 Million In National Endowment For The Arts Funding For New York State

For over 50 years, the National Endowment for the Arts & National Endowment for the Humanities have provided vital support and resources to endeavors in the arts and humanities across the country According to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts and culture sector is a $704 billion industry, accounting for 4.2 percent of the nation’s GDP FY 2017 funding supports 549 NEA projects around NYS

Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $16,523,220 in federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17). This funding will support 549 NEA projects around New York State in the arts and humanities.

“An investment in the arts is an investment in Upstate New York’s future, as both a tourist destination and a vibrant place to live. This federal funding will help regions across the state encourage the growth of artists and programs that will help New York benefit from the creativity they bring,” said Senator Schumer. “This is great news for Upstate New York, and I will continue to fight hard for programs that support our artists, foster creativity and give our communities more opportunities to experience the arts in a diverse number of ways.”

“These funds are a major investment for local organizations to advance art, music, dance, language, and literature programs in our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Because of the National Endowment for the Arts, our cultural institutions reach more families and communities with programming that enriches, educates and inspires. The arts define who we are as a nation and are pivotal in the advancement of our education and economy. I will continue working with my colleagues in the Senate to fund the arts and humanities in New York.”

In FY17, the NEA and NEH have a budget of $149.8 million each. President Trump’s recently released FY18 budget proposes to zero out funding for both of these institutions. In 2016, New York institutions were awarded 538 grants from the NEA, totaling more than $17 million. New York received 111 grants from the NEH the same year, totaling more than $12.6 million.